That Inbred will be a great bike.
Riders in this for the last 30 years, like I have, will know, that’s a solid bike. Steel double butted frame, zero maintenace fork, shimano servicable deore hubs with big ball bearings, steel freehub and strong stiff axles and quick releases. X5 works, cheap to replace if ever needed. It’ll be nimble and easy to throw around and will fit in the back of the car with the wheels on. To top it off, it needs a triple 24-32-42 and a lighter 11-32 casette.
In the last 30 years I’ve gone through rigid bikes (Diamon back Ascent Ex – Spec. Stumpjumper to all Titanium DNA frame and forks – to full suspension Marin Mount Vision (too heavy and slow uphill) to fat bikes (On One fatty) (loads of grip but to much tyre weight to spin uphill bike weight to lift over fences) back to all rigid On One 456 Carbon Evo with a carbon lurcher fork with Olympic rims on Deore hubs.
I love my Deore hubs. They spin so freely and are quiet compared to my Hopes. Fewer seals than the XT, so if you can be bothered to mainatain them you can coast really free. My rigid carbon bike is lighter than the Inbred for sure, but it speeds uphill and down like no ther bike I’ve owned. It’s much smoother than the same bike built in all titanium. It’a great all day ride (at 42 I wanted a higher front that the 456 carbon evo gives). I run Schwalbe Thunder Burts all year. They’re very light, fast and don’t hold mud, even in winter gloop. Best tyres ever made. At a given price point you can fill your boots with superlight world class 26″ wheelsets.
Really, if 29er’s came first, they’d be touting 26er’s as the next thing telling you they turn so fast, accelerate so well, nimble, you can make them in girl sizes, no tow overlaps, space for fat tyres…
Sure, they’re using old stock up…but it’s still a great honest bike. You could have alot of reliable fun on that steel Inbred for a good long while wether it’s day rides, epics or racked for a transcontinental.
Son of Brian.
You can take 26″ wheels, triples and cup and cone hubs from my cold dead hands…